Department of Education and Skills

Schools Building Programme

Question 239: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the school building programme in respect of a school (details supplied); when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9490/12]

The schedule of accommodation for the school building project referred to by the Deputy is currently been developed. Officials from my Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in that regard. The current position of all projects on the school building programme, including this project, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. Details in relation to projects are updated regularly during the year.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which was published on 10th November 2011, sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years. In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years. I have previously committed to publishing shortly a five year plan outlining the school building projects that will commence construction in that time.

Question 240: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of, and an update on the school building programme in respect of a school (details supplied); when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9493/12]

The schedule of accommodation for the proposed school building project referred to by the Deputy is currently being finalised. As the Deputy is aware, the existing school site has certain constraints in terms of size, access and the fact that there is a protected structure and associated conservation issues that requires a sympathetic design solution. The next step in the architectural process will involve the arrangements for the appointment of a design team. The current position of all projects on the school building programme, including this project, may be viewed on my Department's website at www.education.ie. As the Deputy is aware, I have already indicated in the context of the announcement on the 10th November 2011 last of the Government's Medium Term Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework, which sets out the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years, that I intend to publish shortly a five year plan outlining the projects that will commence construction in that time.

Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the design team will be appointed for a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9532/12]

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the tender process for the appointment of a design team for the school building project to which she refers is nearing completion. The members of the design team have been selected following a tender competition and are currently being assessed by the Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) as is required under Health and Safety regulations. Once this is complete, assuming no issues arise, the contracts of appointment will issue to the design team.

Question 243: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the application of a school (details supplied) in County Waterford for an extension to its current school building to deal with growth in numbers and the special needs of the pupils that attend same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9533/12]

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that in November 2011, my Department sanctioned a devolved grant to the school to which she refers to provide for improved facilities for special needs pupils. I understand that this grant has not yet been drawn down by the school authority. During the period 2006 - 2007, a major building project was completed at the school to provide for a 24 classroom facility. The total cost of the project was in excess of €3m. My Department is satisfied that the level of accommodation already provided, together with the special needs facilities to be provided with the devolved grant, is sufficient to meet the school's essential accommodation needs.

In view of the need to ensure that every child has access to a school place, the delivery of major school projects and smaller projects devolved to schools to meet the demographic demands nationally will be the main focus for capital investment in schools in the coming years.